Dawn of the Third Age/IC Logs/Session 11
Session Start (Anshu:#celestialdeliberative): Sun Nov 07 10:46:07 2010 -0700
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[11:55] *** Anshu is now known as Ignis_Divine
[11:56] *** Ignis_Divine is now known as Anshu
[11:56] *** dakkareth is now known as Mars
[11:56] *** Mars is now known as dakkareth
[11:57] *** dakkareth is now known as Nomoe_Hideaki
[11:57] *** Lost_Arts is now known as Bright_Snow
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[13:03] <~Anshu> It's a pleasant day on the beaches of Chiaroscuro; a cool breeze from the north over the Inland Sea keeps off the Fire heat, and Mount Meru to the northwest and the Penitent to the southwest together frame a gorgeous view out over the water to the west.
[13:05] <Nomoe_Hideaki> "So what added meaning does the phrase "on the other side of nowhere" take to an adept of Cecelyne?"
[13:05] <Brazen_Sand> Brazen stared back at the Penitent as if daring it to challenge him. He wondered if those Celestials who were supposed to be taking care of the place had managed to get back on their feet and do their jobs.
[13:06] <Inkwell> "The Endless Desert is definitionally infinite, except for having the Demon City affixed to her body."
[13:06] <Inkwell> "Everywhere in Cecelyne is surrounded by desolation going on forever."
[13:07] <Inkwell> "Although generally you end up falling into Creation or Malfeas regardless."
[13:07] <Brazen_Sand> "Unless she just kills you"
[13:07] <Inkwell> "Or that, yeah."
[13:08] * Inkwell finds the endless silver waste comforting.
[13:08] <Nomoe_Hideaki> Nomoe Hideaki nods slowly, blowing out a stream of light blue smoke. "I have read of that, though I thought 'forever' and 'infinity' to be mere metaphors or exaggerations."
[13:08] <Brazen_Sand> "Why are we at the beach anyway?" Brazen asked
[13:08] <Brazen_Sand> "And no, she's literally infinite."
[13:08] <Inkwell> "The titles of the Yozis are generally literally true."
[13:09] <Inkwell> "It's less impressive, of course, when you consider that most of her infinity is empty space. Still, I've seen her adepts perform impressive feats with space."
[13:10] <Nomoe_Hideaki> "How very unusual," the princeps of House Nomoe states in an unusually laid back tone before taking another puff from his small, ornate pipe.
[13:10] <~Anshu> The waves crash on the shore. Unfortunately for Brazen, Ruby begged off joining them, citing worries about what the salt water would do to her chassis.
[13:11] * Inkwell feels naked without his clothes.
[13:11] <Brazen_Sand> "This is so weird, all this water here...it smells." Brazen points out idly
[13:11] <Nomoe_Hideaki> "So many titles are just hot air and empty promises." He looks out over the sparkling waves.
[13:11] <Brazen_Sand> Brazen grins at the back of Nomoe's head
[13:11] <Brazen_Sand> *grinned
[13:11] <Inkwell> "It isn't much like Kimbery, isn't it?" says Inkwell with a smirk.
[13:11] <Nomoe_Hideaki> "Salt water. The sea. The Inner Sea, to be precise. That's how it is."
[13:11] <Inkwell> "For which we may all be thankful."
[13:12] <Brazen_Sand> "Kimbery smelled even worse. But I lived without any large bodies of water nearby for most of my life."
[13:12] <Brazen_Sand> "Water was something extremely precious, something you had to mind all the time. My mother would have slapped me if I tried to take 2 drinks in one hour."
[13:13] <Inkwell> "You haven't smelled anything until you've smelled the Song of the Depths being sung. Things there just aren't //names// for rise up from the depths and burst."
[13:13] <Inkwell> "So very horrible. And yet, strangely compelling. Like the element of musk or rot in a perfume."
[13:13] <Nomoe_Hideaki> Despite being chosen by Ignis Divine Nomoe's complexion is fair. Wearing only an essence-woven towel the three hearthstone sockets implanted directly into his back from the neck down are visible, as is a small vial of adamant hanging around his neck on an orichalcum chain.
[13:14] <Brazen_Sand> "whatever" Brazen mumbled, just sitting on the sand and staring. He wondered what it would be like to actually swim in it
[13:14] <Brazen_Sand> *staring at the sea.
[13:14] * Nomoe_Hideaki blows out smoke again. "I have never been to Malfeas myself, though I guess I could without greater problems."
[13:14] * Inkwell begins shaping the waves into the momentary semblance of sea creatures.
[13:15] <Inkwell> "Given the political situation, I'm not so sure I'd care to return myself without your company."
[13:15] <Nomoe_Hideaki> "Diplomatic immunity being rather strictly enforced ... but I've never had the time, and from your tales I gather it's not the choicest traveling destination?"
[13:15] <Inkwell> "Oh, it's a beautiful place."
[13:15] <Brazen_Sand> "Yeah, I'm surprised you haven't been Tormented yet, Inkwell." Brazen pointed out.
[13:16] <Inkwell> "Mad, dangerous, full of pain and terror, but beautiful, and quite unlike anywhere else."
[13:16] <Brazen_Sand> "lucky..."
[13:16] * Inkwell shudders at the memory of Torments past.
[13:17] <Nomoe_Hideaki> "Torment?" Nomoe tilts his head slightly.
[13:17] <Brazen_Sand> "It's what happens when you do things that piss the Yozis off...in theory. Generally, it's when you do something that goes against your Urge."
[13:18] <Nomoe_Hideaki> "Ah, that burned-in command, like Akuma have," Nomoe nods wisely.
[13:18] <Inkwell> "The Yozis attempted to harness their own titanic madness as a control mechanism by tying it to a burned-in command, as you say, maintained by the internal demonic coadjutor."
[13:19] <Nomoe_Hideaki> He takes another puff of Bright Morning and leans back a little, watching the least gods of the waves dance and frolick under the sun.
[13:19] <Inkwell> "However, like any attempt to place permanent controls on a Solar Exalt or equivalent, it failed to achieve the desired results."
[13:19] <Brazen_Sand> "I slipped it because I was the first Slayer. They weren't very good at writing Urges at teh beginning."
[13:21] <Inkwell> "I was given a command to serve as ambassador, largely because it was the only way She Who Lives in Her Name could continue to claim me as a loyal servant."
[13:23] <Nomoe_Hideaki> "For certain values of loyal," Nomoe grins.
[13:25] <Brazen_Sand> "So why ARE we here?" Brazen asked again.
[13:25] <~Anshu> The section of beach you're occupying is more or less deserted, though there are other people a moderate distance away.
[13:26] *** Anshu is now known as Swan_Dragon
[13:27] * Nomoe_Hideaki waves away that concern. "So, if you don't think it too boorish to ask about work, how do things stand in the ambassador business? And in the prayer-extortion business?"
[13:28] <~Swan_Dragon> Then comes a voice from behind you. "Enjoying some rest and recuperation, after a heroic effort to bring the Scarlet Empress to justice?"
[13:28] <Nomoe_Hideaki> "I completely understand if you don't want to talk about it, today is after all a day off."
[13:28] * Brazen_Sand turns to look at the voice
[13:28] <Brazen_Sand> *turned
[13:28] * Inkwell rotates on his axis.
[13:30] * Nomoe_Hideaki lets the sunlight congeal into a golden mirror between his fingers and looks at the speaker that way. It's his day off, why is someone bothering him?
[13:30] <~Swan_Dragon> It's Swan Dragon.
[13:30] <~Swan_Dragon> In his draconic form.
[13:31] * Brazen_Sand looks surprised, very surprised. "Well...you're back. How'd that go, then?"
[13:31] <Inkwell> "Greetings, censor," says Inkwell evenly but without emotion.
[13:32] <Nomoe_Hideaki> "Censor Swan Dragon, why don't you join us? There's chilled water, juice and enough Bright Morning for everyone."
[13:32] * Inkwell is still offended at the dragon's blatant splatism.
[13:34] <~Swan_Dragon> "I heard you were here, and I thought I would stop by on my way. I'm afraid I can't tarry much. I'm due in Yu-Shan. My erstwhile replacement left rather a large mess to clean up, and the proceedings seem to be endless." He sighs.
[13:34] * Brazen_Sand grunts and nods at him in a relatively friendly way.
[13:34] * Nomoe_Hideaki snaps his fingers twice to summon one of his servants who keep their distance, gesturing for them to bring another deck chair and enough refreshments for a dragon.
[13:35] <Brazen_Sand> "So...what was your job, again?" Brazen asked.
[13:37] <Brazen_Sand> To Swan Dragon
[13:37] * Nomoe_Hideaki laughs. "I guess after my question just now I can't well fault you for asking job-related questions."
[13:38] <Brazen_Sand> Brazen shrugged. "I didn't really know you were talking about me, actually. I'm just wondering what the dragon does...no offense." He adds to Swan Dragon.
[13:41] * Bright_Snow continues to make sandcastles, sitting under a large beach umbrella further down the beach.
[13:43] * Inkwell begins constructing a sand-fortress around himself- no hands, of course.
[13:44] <Bright_Snow> The Sandcastle is surrounded by a small village of buildings surrounded by an outerwall. The keep is a luxurious looking palace with strong fortified walls
[13:44] <~Swan_Dragon> "I'm the Censor of the South," Swan Dragon tells Brazen, accepting the chair and some of the refreshments. "I make sure that the spirit courts are free of corruption."
[13:45] <Brazen_Sand> "Uh-huh. Well, I mostly don't deal with spirits, so as long as they don't bug Gem, all the power to you."
[13:45] * Nomoe_Hideaki watches Bright Snow build, not ignoring the dragon so much, as focused on more important matters
[13:45] <Bright_Snow> "And he alone among them actually does his job too." Snow smiles as she lays back beneath the umbrella admiring her work. "At least thats what they say."
[13:46] <Nomoe_Hideaki> As he sits down he gives the dragon a nod in greeting, waving toward the small table with refreshments in passing. "Help yourself, Censor, or summon one of the servants if you wish. They are at your service as well."
[13:46] <Brazen_Sand> "Then why was he being some crazy homeless guy in the Lap when we first met him?"
[13:46] * ~Swan_Dragon gestures with a claw dismissively.
[13:47] <Nomoe_Hideaki> "A splendid sand castle," Nomoe comments on Bright Snow's work, "It's least god looks so proud."
[13:47] <Nomoe_Hideaki> *Its
[13:48] * Bright_Snow turns a radiant smile on Nomoe.
[13:49] <~Swan_Dragon> "My reputation is certainly that I am entirely without corruption and the most righteous of all the Censors in recent memory. But I am sure that most other censors do the best they can, and have their reputations undeservedly tarnished."
[13:50] * Nomoe_Hideaki returns the smile. "With you investing such effort, how could it not be, and how could he not be. I think it is a he, at least. Patroling the castle walls with a little driftwood sword and armor of shells."
[13:51] <~Swan_Dragon> "And my memory had been torn and damaged by tortures I received at the hands of the Fair Folk."
[13:51] <~Swan_Dragon> "And yes, that is a he."
[13:51] <Brazen_Sand> "Oh yes, right. Sorry to hear that. Those Raksha are assholes." Brazen responded.
[13:51] <Brazen_Sand> "Getting into everything."
[13:52] * Nomoe_Hideaki tilts his head slightly and watches the small god's antics through a ring of blue smoke, still smiling slightly. "Ah, of course, the Censor's expertise would naturally discern such things with far greater acumen than I can muster."
[13:53] * Brazen_Sand got up to go into the water and punches a shark
[13:54] <Nomoe_Hideaki> "And what is it you are building?" Nomoe turns to Inkwell, diplomatic even on his day off.
[13:54] <~Swan_Dragon> "Yes," the Censor answers Brazen darkly, then seems to shake himself. "But lets us not cloud such a fine day with things of that nature."
[13:54] * ~Swan_Dragon turns to look at Inkwell.
[13:54] * Inkwell waves from one of the windows of his sand-fortress.
[13:55] <Nomoe_Hideaki> "I imagine Malfean architecture would be hard to realize in sand," he adds, his expression somewhat doubtful as he compares it to Bright Snow's castle.
[13:55] * Bright_Snow laughs at the least gods antics. "Let us hope he puts up a brave defence against the tides this evening then. I wish him well."
[13:57] <~Swan_Dragon> "In my visits to Yu-Shan, I heard that you petitioned to be struck from the Roll of Reviled Darkness," Swan Dragon says, a bit suddenly, to Inkwell.
[13:58] * Bright_Snow glances at Inkwell, suppressing more laughter at his now buried form beneath the fortress.
[14:00] * Nomoe_Hideaki nods gravely at that. "A lone commander with only a few least spirits of sand, shells and driftwood at his command. And the least spirits of the houses seeking shelter from the unending numbers of least gods of the waves and currents. He will need that bravery."
[14:00] <Inkwell> "I sent in a few memos to the subject, yes," says Inkwell from his balcony window.
[14:01] <Inkwell> "But I seem to be straining myself to the utmost just to be trusted by my colleagues, much less the Most High."
[14:03] <Bright_Snow> "Perhaps I should decorate the castle with more shells. Give him a fighting chance. Would you care to assist me, Hideaki-san?"
[14:04] <~Swan_Dragon> Swan Dragon nods slowly. "From what I have seen and heard and read of you, I think that I can help with the latter, and I owe you for restoring my memory. You are a poet of some reknown, yes?"
[14:05] <~Swan_Dragon> "A wordsmith?"
[14:05] <Inkwell> "Renown is a tricky measure in these days. I suspect my work would be widely published regardless of its quality. Still, I've written a few things I thought I could call good."
[14:05] * Nomoe_Hideaki rises from his chair, the towel around his hips shifting into more practical trunks. "It would be my pleasure."
[14:06] * Brazen_Sand suddenly got up and ran back and forth on the beach, screaming incoherently
[14:07] <Nomoe_Hideaki> He makes a small circuit around the sand castle and town complex, examining it from all sides and noting the ingenuity of its design. "An additional moat maybe, channels to turn aside the tide ... or is it the model of a real place?"
[14:08] * Bright_Snow blinking at Brazen's behaviour /** distaste fills the bond at his antics **/ "...Slayers..."
[14:10] * Inkwell feels ignored and leans out to examine Bright Snow's sandcastle. "Consider the geomancy! The presence of the sea provides a constant flow of water Essence from the north! You'll need to compensate for that!"
[14:10] <Bright_Snow> "It was a real place once, now it is but a memory, fortunately I am not aiming for accuracy, so an additional moat is a splendid idea." /**Some sadness, tempers the laughter as she studies the place, a former home. **/
[14:11] <Nomoe_Hideaki> Halting after coming full circle Nomoe Hideaki overlooks the sand structure with its protector and the threatening sea behind it. "Oh god of the Bright Sandcastle," he addresses the least god. "Honor to your name, strength to your limbs. May you well discharge your duty, may you bravely defend your domain. And though you may fall in the process, know that on this day you have brightened the afternoon
[14:12] * Bright_Snow glancing at Inkwell. "Thank you for the advice ambassador, I shall do so. How goes your own fortress?"
[14:13] * Nomoe_Hideaki doesn't even look in Brazen Sand's direction. "I too thought it might do him good, but perhaps Lilac's Sorrow miscalculated." *resignation, an old annoyance that won't go away and has to be lived with*
[14:14] <Inkwell> "It's more difficult to construct from the inside than I imagined it might be."
[14:15] <~Swan_Dragon> Swan Dragon nods again. "I think you do yourself too little credit. But here is my suggestion: Take your skill as a wordsmith and compose a prayer to the Most High, the best and most beautiful prayer you can create, a request to be struck from the roll, and be sure to mention yourself by name. Find a Zenith to pray it for you. I will see the Most High today, and I will advise him to listen when that prayer reaches his ears."
[14:16] <~Swan_Dragon> Find a Zenith to pray it for you. I will see the Most High today, and I will advise him to listen when that prayer reaches his ears."
[14:16] <Brazen_Sand> Brazen stopped suddenly..."You're speaking to the Unconquered Sun?" He asked, having overheard the Dragon.
[14:17] <Bright_Snow> "Well now you know the reason why most beings prefer to construct from outside, at least with sand." She still sounds amused and turns her gaze to Brazen. "I think he just likes to be the centre of attention." /** Still he seems useful enough when we had to count on him, or so General Noldarr informed me. **/
[14:18] <Inkwell> "That might indeed get his attention," thinks Inkwell aloud, allowing the fortress to collapse gently around him. "Still, it seems unfair to approach Ignis Divine in supplication, as though I had committed some sin."
[14:18] * Nomoe_Hideaki nods slowly as Bright Snow speaks of the place the sand structure mirrors. *hesitant understanding, empathy /The Wyld? If so the present situation is maybe unfortuntely close/*
[14:23] <Nomoe_Hideaki> Following the Lunar's gaze to the Slayer Nomoe Hideaki gives a laugh. "I don't know if he was always thus, but it certainly seems that way now." After a moment he adds: "He says he channels not only the power of Malfeas but parts of his personality as well. Certainly that arrogance and sense of entitlement would be expected from one who once styled himself the king of the Primordials."
[14:24] <Bright_Snow> "The towers burned long before the Wyld swallowed it." She says sadly, her voice quiet. The smile she has had fades. "Though the irony of the waves imitating the Wyld is not lost on me."
[14:26] <~Swan_Dragon> Swan Dragon looks at Brazen and nods before turning his attention back to Inkwell. "From his point of view, you have, by refusing to completely renounce the Yozis. I expect that it frustrates him, that one so virtuous will not join fully with him against those he names his enemies."
[14:27] * Inkwell shrugs.
[14:27] <~Swan_Dragon> The Censor continues, "But he is not without mercy, or without his own regard - even affection - for certain of the fallen Primordials, though his nature drives him to oppose them."
[14:27] <Inkwell> "It's a complicated situation," Inkwell admits.
[14:27] <Nomoe_Hideaki> */He can be relied on provide a violent distraction ... though indeed, if the reports are accurate, perhaps a measure of nobility as well. Unexpected that./ it's not enough to shift Nomoe's opinion, clearly, but the Slayer's account balance has definitely risen in his eyes*
[14:28] <Inkwell> "I, too, recognize the brokenness of the Yozis, even before they were crippled by imprisonment, but I have a responsibility I will not abandon."
[14:28] <Inkwell> "In my time of need, it was the Yozis and not the Sun who gave me succor."
[14:29] <~Swan_Dragon> "Yes, but using gifts they had stolen from the Sun in the first place." Swan Dragon stops that train of thought and rouses himself from his lounging position.
[14:30] <~Swan_Dragon> "I will speak to the Sun of this matter regardless, to repay the debt I owe to you. But I urge you to consider the course of action I suggested."
[14:31] <~Swan_Dragon> He turns to looks at Brazen. "Should I take it you wish me to advocate for you as well?"
[14:31] * Bright_Snow finishes gathering shells and begins another moat, placing shells at suitable intervals.
[14:32] <Inkwell> "I appreciate your willingness to help me, Censor. I will think about what you have said."
[14:33] <Bright_Snow> "External guardians, help your Captain in the battle to come." She whispers.
[14:34] <Nomoe_Hideaki> �ACTION is quiet as Bright Snow speaks of burning towers and the devouring Wyld. He himself has had to witness, to write of, to report on such events more than once in the last ten years. The Raksha arsenal contains more than unending hordes. Trickery, treachery, bewitching glamours, diplomats that turn one family among the survivors against the next. *One day they will pay, one day they'll all burn i
[14:35] <Nomoe_Hideaki> *One day they will pay, one day they'll all burn in the fires of creation*
[14:38] * Bright_Snow eyes dart down, a sad look in her eyes. /** I do not want them to pay, I just want them gone. **/
[14:38] <Nomoe_Hideaki> Digging implements shaped from ambient essence help in digging out a deep moat around the castle structure. Though untrained Nomoe Hideaki's hands a sure and his step lighter than a feather. Curved channels to draw away the inevitable tide flare out to both sides.
[14:39] <Nomoe_Hideaki> They are not beautiful, but at least they are functional.
[14:40] <Bright_Snow> Taking his hand, Snow guides it, detailing the channels and digging them deeper, using the excess sand to decorate them and their defenders.
[14:41] <Bright_Snow> "This is how it is done." She releases his hand upon its completion, as she gazes upon the task they have completed together.
[14:41] <Inkwell> Inkwell reaches out with a small amount of mental attention and begins drawing patterns on the sand, carefully directing the tendrils of water Essence to either side.
[14:43] * Nomoe_Hideaki lets Bright Snow guide his hand, smiling resignedly. "I have never applied myself to the arts of construction. My hands are used to shattering weapons, and to wielding the brush, but little in between."
[14:43] <Nomoe_Hideaki> Picking up a small but flexible stick he gestures toward the walls. "May I?"
[14:45] * Bright_Snow nods
[14:46] <Nomoe_Hideaki> *Nomoe's losses are fresh yet, the anger still hot. /The process of imposing reality once more upon the lands they have conquered will be sufficiently destructive to them./*
[14:49] <Bright_Snow> *Again sadness / Perhaps... When do you intend to start such a project?/*
[14:50] <Nomoe_Hideaki> Rising he wields the flexible stick like a swordmaster his weapon. In energetic and passionate strokes, yet with unnatural precision he inscribes the outer walls with a prayer to Luna, warden against the Wyld. Despite the force not a single grain of sand outside the symbols falls.
[14:52] <Brazen_Sand> Brazen, now in his monstrous form, kicks over a lifeguard tower with a single mighty blow
[14:54] <Nomoe_Hideaki> */I have begun already, in small steps. Around Sanken, outward from the ring of monoliths. But there are so many other concerns weighing on my time ... and I have not yet developed the full skill required to permanently crystallize the Wyld./ determination, in time he will*
[14:55] <Brazen_Sand> "OH AND I WANT YOUR HELP WITH THE SUN AS WELL. THAT WOULD BE NICE!" He roars from a distance to Swan Dragon.
[14:55] <Brazen_Sand> "THANK YOU!":
[14:56] <~Swan_Dragon> The other people on the beach are starting to flee from the roaring giant monster.
[14:56] <~Swan_Dragon> Swan Dragon nods and gives you all a bow. "I must be on my way," he says, and leaves.
[14:57] <Bright_Snow> "Perhaps someone should calm him and those poor people down."
[14:57] * Bright_Snow bows to Swan Dragon. "Always a pleasure to see you Censor."
[14:57] * Inkwell waves.
[14:58] * Nomoe_Hideaki also bows, in silence, as the mighty dragon and celestial god departs
[14:58] <Brazen_Sand> "HE WAS NICE, CAN WE DO SOMETHING NOW?"
[15:00] <Bright_Snow> "You needn't linger here. You could for example visit your kingdom Brazen Sands, rather than terrorise the others enjoying the day here while we recover." Her patience finally snapping she marches up through a throng of people fleeing Brazen to berate him. "It is inconsiderate."
[15:00] <Brazen_Sand> "I DIDN'T MAKE THEM RUN."
[15:02] <Bright_Snow> "Your scaring them and generally making a nuisance of yourself. Why can't you enjoy the beach for what it is rather than smashing and roaring and yelling."
[15:02] <Brazen_Sand> "WHAT IS A BEACH? A MISERABLE PILE OF SEASHELLS!" Brazen retorted
[15:02] <Nomoe_Hideaki> Balancing on the outer wall, his Light Body Style ensuring that his weight upon the wet sand is no more than that of a lightbeam, he follows up with the Scripture of the One-Handed Maiden, the archaic Old Realm flowing from his impromptu writing implement with infinite ease, harmoniously integrated between the windows, the shells and the driftwood splinters.
[15:04] <Bright_Snow> "IT IS A PLACE PEOPLE COME TO, TO RELAX. SO RELAX!" She fumes.
[15:05] <Bright_Snow> "AND STOP SCARING PEOPLE!!!"
[15:06] <Nomoe_Hideaki> Kicking off without disturbing any part of the sandcatcle Nomoe Hideaki sails through the air to silently land besides Bright Snow.
[15:07] <Nomoe_Hideaki> "This is not conductive to relaxation and a restful day, Brazen Sand." His tone is even, without accusation or implied command.
[15:07] *** Swan_Dragon is now known as Anshu
[15:07] <Brazen_Sand> Brazen's 3 eyes widened at her sudden loudness. He sat down with a grouchy expression on his monstrous face
[15:07] <Brazen_Sand> "I WAS JUST...I DUNNO..." He mumbled, yet still loud enough to rattle windows
[15:08] <~Anshu> Out in the water, something begins rising from the depths.
[15:08] <Brazen_Sand> He frowned at her. "YOU YELLED AT ME."
[15:08] <Brazen_Sand> "NO ONE YELLS AT ME"
[15:09] * Nomoe_Hideaki looks on in wonder, narrowly avoiding shaking his head. */You think that's the mistake I made? Not yelling at him? Because he never listens to me, no matter how reasonable the words./ perplexity and wonder*
[15:12] <Bright_Snow> "Please stop yelling." Her tone is still loud but calmer now, like a mother scolding a wayward child. "Why don't you dig a whole and make something out of sand, be constuctive." /* Her initial burst of anger at Brazen's behaviour fades, replaced by some satisfaction. */
[15:12] <Brazen_Sand> "I'M NOT YELLING. THIS IS MY VOICE."
[15:12] <Brazen_Sand> "IF I WAS YELLING, THOSE GLASS TOWERS WOULD EXPLODE."
[15:14] * Nomoe_Hideaki is tempted to speak, to say something like 'We don't need a demonstration', but remains silent. Apparently Bright Snow knows how to deal with wayward Slayers much better than he does.
[15:14] <Bright_Snow> "Then try and use an indoor voice. A more suitable indoor voice while we are enjoying ourselves at the beach. Then if your good maybe we can get an icecream after."
[15:15] <Brazen_Sand> "...fine" he whispered
[15:17] <Bright_Snow> "Now why don't you help the nice Ambassador with his Fortress and please try to help, he may actually need someone on the outside digging in. This after all can be fun." She emphasises the last few words before turning to resume work on her own sandcastle.
[15:19] <Nomoe_Hideaki> Once Brazen's back is safely turned Nomoe Hideaki can finally shake his head as much as the situation warrants. */Wow. I have ... never seen something like this work on him before. And without any Charms .../*
[15:19] <Bright_Snow> "And play nicely."
[15:19] <Bright_Snow> */ Amusement fills the bond / A woman's touch. /*
[15:21] <~Anshu> The shape in the water is now closer, rising up from the waves.
[15:21] <Brazen_Sand> Brazen stops adn turns around, hearing something moving from the shore
[15:22] <Inkwell> Inkwell stares desolately into the water, trying not to think about being yelled at by an entire demon city.
[15:22] <Inkwell> "What's that?"
[15:22] <Brazen_Sand> "OH MAN, IS THAT IDIOT BACK ALREADY?"
[15:23] <Brazen_Sand> "YOU GUYS SHOULD PROBABLY...YOU KNOW WHAT, I'LL HANDLE IT."
[15:24] <Brazen_Sand> He turned to all the other beachgoers and shouted loud enough to shake pebbles on the other side of Chiarascuro. "LEAVE THE BEACH, RIGHT NOW!"
[15:25] <Nomoe_Hideaki> "Perhaps." Nomoe Hideaki also returns to the sand castle. His pipe has long since gone out and returned to the essence flows where it came from, but the Bright Morning is still within him and he can still see the least god of the sandcastle, his weapon and armor now inscribed with golden symbols, the large shell that is his shield glittering with mercurial silver.
[15:25] <Brazen_Sand> Green fire flared from the cracks between his scales
[15:25] * Bright_Snow looks up in irritation, after her long lecture. Spotting the creature though dispels it. "What is that?"
[15:26] <Brazen_Sand> "OH THIS DEFILER GUY WHO WANTED TO DESTROY GEM A WEEK AGO."
[15:26] <Brazen_Sand> "DON'T WORRY, I GOT THIS. YOU SHOULD ALL PROBABLY GO DO SOME...I DUNNO, SOLAR AND LUNAR STUFF."
[15:26] <Nomoe_Hideaki> Engrossed in watching the little spirits and their small city he doesn't notice the thing in the water until Brazen starts yelling again and Bright Snow points it out.
[15:26] <Brazen_Sand> "SAVE PEOPLE AND SO FORTH."
[15:27] * Bright_Snow sighs. "Why does everyone see the need to ruin our beach holiday." She says quietly.
[15:27] <Brazen_Sand> "ARE YOU KIDDING? THIS IS THE BEST THING THAT COULD POSSIBLY HAPPEN! I WAS WORRIED THIS ENTIRE TRIP WOULD BE A LOST CAUSE!"
[15:28] <Nomoe_Hideaki> "I'll need to have a word with Lilac's Sorrow. Unless she arranged this so HE can relax, in which case I'll have even more words with her."
[15:28] <Nomoe_Hideaki> *more than one word
[15:28] * Nomoe_Hideaki sighs
[15:28] <~Anshu> Suddenly, blood apes swarm onto the beach from the city side.
[15:29] <Bright_Snow> "Lilac's Sorrow?"
[15:31] <Nomoe_Hideaki> "An ... admirer of Noldarr's. Also a Chosen of Serenity. I think it was she who suggested that a day off, to relax and unwind, would serve us well."
[15:31] * Brazen_Sand is already flying through the air towards the Hellstrider. "TAKE CARE OF THOSE BLOOD APES."
[15:32] <~Anshu> A great 8-pointed star of green light explodes on the beach among the mortals now milling, caught between the blood apes and the advancing Hellstrider.
[15:32] <Inkwell> "Whatever."
[15:32] * Inkwell casts Sapphire Banishment.
[15:33] * Bright_Snow eyes widen. /* Intense dislike fills the bond from the words Chosen of Serenity. / Nomoe the only good Sidereal is a dead Sidereal. And this may well be another of their grandly executed traps. */ All pretense of relaxation crumbles as she grows exceedingly tense.
[15:35] <Brazen_Sand> Brazen easily swerved in front of the Flare, his body turning a hideous green as it easily *ate* the attack with no ill effect
[15:36] <Brazen_Sand> "YOU...RUINED...THEIR...DAY!" He shouted at the Hellstrider, referring to the mortals.
[15:36] <Bright_Snow> Though Brazen's thundering comment, does even in her wary stance elict a smile
[15:41] <~Anshu> Tracing curves of white light gather around Brazen's monstrous form as the Defiler inside the hellstrider tries once again to seize brazen in his mind's iron grip.
[15:41] * Nomoe_Hideaki frowns, opens the stopper of the small adamant vial hanging on the orichalcum chain around his neck and drinks the elixir within. */I doubt it. My charms showed only her desire to be helpful and impress General Noldarr./ a small piece of doubt remains though, he will investigate this matter*
[15:42] * Inkwell stands to defend the sandcastle, and begins slowly extending his geomantic pattern outwards to encompass more space.
[15:43] * Bright_Snow relaxes just a little. /* Still I would not trust that one, ever. After all one such as you did before and recall what occured. */ Raising her Direlance, she awaits the tide of blood apes.
[15:47] <Bright_Snow> As they disappear and it is clear that Inkwell is guarding their construction, she gives the Ambassador a smile and a nod of thanks wondering whether or not to aid Brazen
[15:51] <Nomoe_Hideaki> �ACTION smiles somewhat sadly. "There are few people I trust outside my family, and she is not one of them." He sighs and his tone is serious. "I have read and remembered of great atrocities committed by those such as myself, just as I know of the crimes of Sidereals now long dead. If I am to be judged by my own actions rather than those of previous incarnations, it is only fair to give them the same
[15:53] <Nomoe_Hideaki> "... If I am to be judged by my own actions rather than those of previous incarnations, it is only fair to give them the same chance."
[15:56] <Nomoe_Hideaki> He shrugs. "Especially those who are only now reincarnation after falling prey to the Silent Wind. Of those the few whose Exaltations are already active again are but children struggling to bear burdens that would stagger many grown men or women."
[15:56] <Nomoe_Hideaki> *reincarnating
[15:58] <Nomoe_Hideaki> He stands with Bright Snow between the Blood Apes and the sandcastle, his stance relaxed though the place where the Empress' pierced his chest still pains him sometimes.
[16:00] <Brazen_Sand> Brazen dove for the suit with a snarl...that was suddenly cut off somehow when he found he couldn't move
[16:01] <Brazen_Sand> "OH YOU LITTLE SHIT!"
[16:02] <Bright_Snow> Giving Nomoe, one last amused glance she charges blindingly fast towards the remaining Blood Apes, her spear gouging a line in the sand behind her throwing it up to shower Nomoe. /* Amusement fills the bond, both at his naivity and her prank */
[16:04] <Bright_Snow> With a powerful side strike of the lance she forces one Blood Ape to stumble back into another before skewering both in a shower of sand as the lance point leaves the ground. "Stop ruining... the day." Accompanies each blow.
[16:09] * Nomoe_Hideaki seems inordinately fascinated with the sudden shower of sand seeing beautiful shapes in its dance brought on by the Bright Morning, before shaking his head free of the distracting hallucinations. *amusement /Try that again when we aren't being harassed by stinking demons./*
[16:11] <Brazen_Sand> Brazen struggled against the invisible bonds, but to no avail. Finally, his anger bubbled to the surface in physical form, and he opened his mouth and blasted a gout of pure molten vitriol onto the Hellstrider's face
[16:13] <Nomoe_Hideaki> His trunks shimmer and transform into loose hakama such as worn by martial artists, though since it is his day off they are colored the bright blue of Venus.
[16:14] <Nomoe_Hideaki> Essence sparkles slightly around the hearthstone sockets set into his back as the Resplendent Phoenix Wings effect the reweaving of ambient essence.
[16:15] <~Anshu> The air ripples in front of the blast of vitriol, and the acidic substance splashes against it before flowing down into the seawater.
[16:23] <Bright_Snow> The first flys heavily into the second, and both dissappate as Kiss of the Serpant Pierces them. Snow grins ferally, her joy in dispatching them easily apparent through the bond.
[16:24] * Nomoe_Hideaki nods in approval, resisting the urge to hold up a plaque with high marks for the maneuver
[16:25] *** Inkwell has quit IRC: Disintegrated: Leaving
[16:34] <~Anshu> Two of the remaining blood apes flank the Lunar; they lash out to gore her with their sharp claws, eager for the feel of blood in their fur and on their skin.
[16:35] <Bright_Snow> As blows from the Apes fall past her running form, Snow whirls rapidly changing direction by dragging her Direlance in the ground sending a large wave of beech sand out over the attacking blood apes making a mockery of their attacks.
[16:37] <Nomoe_Hideaki> Suddenly rising from where he had squatted down Nomoe brings his arms forward to throw two sea shells from each hand to sail right past the blood apes' eyes. Their simple brains distracted by the passing shiny objects the beasts momentarily lose track of Nomoe who slips between them with mercurial ease, averting their clumsy attacks with the faintest of touches.
[16:38] <~Anshu> The other two charge past their brothers to attack the Solar, but their attacks are easily averted by his cunning tactics.
[16:39] * Nomoe_Hideaki glides forward, his Light Body Style accounting for his impressive speed and grace as he literally runs a circle around a pair of Blood Apes. A faint corona of gold can be seen around his hands and feet, and shimmering in his wake.
[16:39] <Nomoe_Hideaki> Then in a backward flip he catapults himself into the air directing one hand at each of them. Golden light rushes inward from the circle he had cut into the sand meeting the blast of palm force from his hands where the Blood Apes stand. Both are disintegrated in a silent blast of light.
[16:46] <Nomoe_Hideaki> Landing on light feet Nomoe Hideaki observes as the localized disturbance erases the demons' tracks. An easy task maybe, but a task accomplished with elegance and style. A man can take satisfaction in that. Such can be felt throug the bond as well.
[16:50] <Brazen_Sand> Brazen gathered up his strength, his power increased by the pure rage he felt at being held by such a tiny pip-squeak. This was unaccpetable...UNACCEPTABLE!
[16:52] <Brazen_Sand> He felt his claws grip something like invisible arms of stone wrapped around himself, he squeezed back, his talons strong enough to crumple steel and crush rock to powder...these too, shattered under his strength
[16:53] <Brazen_Sand> "DON'T YOU KNOW THAT YOU CAN'T HUG ANYONE..." He broke out of the grasp and then groweled with renewed rage and strength
[16:53] <Brazen_Sand> "WITH NUCLEAR ARMS!?!"
[16:57] <Nomoe_Hideaki> "My mate and I have things well in hand here," Nomoe calls over to Viridian Inkwell, "If you would take care of the sorcery holding the Slayer, perhaps? If you can do it without hitting the sandcastle as well?"
[16:58] <Bright_Snow> "Make sure it doesn't either."
[17:06] <~Anshu> The Defiler's anima flares up as Brazen struggles, and ultimately fails, to break free.
[17:07] <Brazen_Sand> "YOU GODS-DAMNED PUSSY YOZI-LICKING MUFF CABBAGE! >XO" Brazen shouted back fruitlessly
[17:14] <Bright_Snow> Whirling to face the last two blood apes and still smiling Snow dashes towards them. As she appraches her sun hat, unused to the speed she is approaching blows off and into the spinning lance which knocks it over and into between the two Apes. With a mighty leap Snow slashes past the first one, the hat landing again on her head, as she spins the lance and decapitates the last blood ape
[17:18] <~Anshu> Inkwell dispells the Hellstrider's sorcerous grip on Brazen.
[17:19] <Brazen_Sand> Brazen suddenly felt a blessed sense of lightness. The salt air around his scales had never felt so good. He grinned with a thousand-thousand razor-sharp brass fangs. Now it was his turn!
[17:23] <Nomoe_Hideaki> �ACTION performs a slow kata, delineating a vertical circle then bringing his hands down before his chest before pushing them forward. Though the movement is slow the force of his palms is such that strong wind comes to live for a moment, blowing away the last traces of the blood apes' stink and covering their tracks with sand. Nothing remains to tell of their brief existence here on this peaceful bea
[17:26] <Nomoe_Hideaki> Nothing remains to tell of their brief existence here on this peaceful beach.
[17:26] <Nomoe_Hideaki> This accomplished he turns to Bright Snow. "Now, shall we end this quickly or leave the Slayer to have his fun?" His smile ironically - he'd much rather be rid off the presence of both, or at least the Hellstrider pilot, but then Brazen Sand will sulk and ruin the rest of the day as well.
[17:26] <Nomoe_Hideaki> *He smiles ironically
[17:31] <Brazen_Sand> Brazen swooped down beside the Hellstrider, fully as tall as the gigantic fleshy machine. "I bet your little slave-drivers haven't seen *THIS* TRICK!" he shouted at it's face before Brazen's inner fire blasted out into his outer being, transforming Brazen into a green monster-shaped fire that shifted and hissed and cracked, causing the water within yards of him to burst into
[17:31] <Brazen_Sand> steam and evaporate immediately
[17:33] <Brazen_Sand> He didn't so much move forward as *flow* towards the Hellstrider before it could react, thrusting his spear forward to smash it through the chinks in it's armour, as if it was a crab for Brazen to eat.
[17:34] <Brazen_Sand> He jabbed forward again and again and again, a massive grinning spectre formed of the green fire that was his namesake.
[17:34] * Nomoe_Hideaki raises an eyebrow. "Great. Another method to cause unnecessary collateral damage," he says drily.
[17:35] <Brazen_Sand> His anima flared as he did so, causing a sheathe of sand to blow painfully across the Hellstrider, covering a dazzling green sun above, visible for miles aruond.
[17:36] * Bright_Snow resumes her position beneath her Umbrella. "I suppose we should let him have his fun for now. After all we did."
[17:38] <Bright_Snow> Taking the two shells that Nomoe had thrown by the Blood Apes she places them either side of the main gate of her sand castle, Shell that had seen combat against Demons would no doubt bolster the defence.
[17:46] <Nomoe_Hideaki> "True. Though I hope he won't take too long." As Bright Snow uses the Demon-Distracting Shells to adorn the sand castle Nomoe Hideaki nods. "Good thinking."
[17:46] <Brazen_Sand> XD
[17:50] <Nomoe_Hideaki> Then, having watched Brazen Sand struggle with the hellstrider long enough, he calls those servants who didn't flee when monsters appeared on the beach and after commending them for their unflinching faithfulness instructs them in a lowered voice and at length.
[17:58] <~Anshu> The hellstrider screams, a terrifying howl as it feels the green light and flame char its flesh through its armor.
[17:59] <Brazen_Sand> "YOU SEE? YOU CANNOT DEFY THE GREENFIRE KING, ANT. NO SLAVE CAN DEFEAT ME."
[18:06] <Nomoe_Hideaki> Returning to the sand castle Nomoe Hideaki sits down beside it, back in his trunks now. Without further ideas on how to bolster its defenses against the tide he just watches the antics of the least gods as Bright Snow, towering over them like a white and silver titan, continues to improve on their domain. Occasionally he looks into the distance as well, keeping an eye on the progress of Brazen Sand's
[18:06] <Brazen_Sand> "HEY GUYS, WATCH ME KICK THIS DUDE'S ASS! GUYS...GUYS CHECK THIS OUT!"
[18:07] <Brazen_Sand> Brazen shouts, half-taunting and half plain enjoying being the centre of attention for an entire city
[18:08] * Bright_Snow takes the small silver rectangle off her neck and points it towards Brazen and the Hellstrider, setting it up on a couple of small extendable tripods.
[18:11] <~Anshu> The beast screams again, and its hands curl into claws as it begins laying into Brazen with a vengeance, trying to rip and tear him limb from limb.
[18:12] <Bright_Snow> She then returns to working on the sandcastle
[18:14] <~Anshu> The Defiler's anima goes totemic, vast wings of light spreading in the sky.
[18:16] <Brazen_Sand> Brazen sneered in contempt. Did it truly think that a wild beast could defeat one as magnificent and powerful as him? Brazen, who carried the essence of Isidoros himself within his soul?
[18:16] <Nomoe_Hideaki> "An image recording?" Nomoe laughs. "The Slayer will be pleased." He looks over to where the two Infernal animas now vie for dominance. "Makes sense, though. I get a headache every time I look in their direction. Bright Morning may have its uses, but the Sorcerer's Eye is far superior for such violent situations."
[18:16] <Brazen_Sand> No, no it could not.
[18:18] <Brazen_Sand> Brazen slapped back each claw with transcendent skill, each parry done using a flawless economy of motion, slapping the arms back into the water as contemptously as before. One suddenly got through his orihalcum-hard defense, but the green-fire flare of the Hellstrider was swallowed up by Brazen's far more powerful flame.
[18:18] <Brazen_Sand> It showed that Brazen's cockiness and swagger was earned, despite his coarseness, he was still a magnificent fighter.
[18:20] <Bright_Snow> "This way he gets the satisfaction of being watched and we get the satisfaction of not having to bother." She yawns, continuing work on the castle, "Everybody wins."
[18:21] <Brazen_Sand> "I AM THE MASTER OF TEH GREEN FIRE, YOU ARE NOTHING BUT A PRETENDER, WHILE I SEE POTENTIAL IN IT THAT EVEN MALFEAS CAN'T IMAGINE! TAKE THIS, AND THEN GO CRAWL BACK TO YOUR PRECIOUS "THING"
[18:23] <Brazen_Sand> The spear became immersed in Brazen's flame, and then moved unimaginably fast with unimaginable force, striking through the Hellstrider's armour with a flash that left the sun itself a distant second to the Greenfire King's sheer might!
[18:24] <Brazen_Sand> His spear seemed to hit from everywhere at once, no one could understand that the Flare itself was simply too big, it was all around them, all at once, from all sides.
[18:29] <~Anshu> The air around the hellstrider flashes and flickers with patterns of like, the great conflagration Brazen had called upon him hammering on it, but unable to break through.
